Silver

Silver Lake (West) is a 71-acre (62.5 littoral acres), class 38 lake located within the Village of St. Anthony and the City of Columbia Heights. The lake is currently managed by the Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) program. The City of Columbia Heights operates a small swimming beach in the northwest corner and a small boat landing with limited parking in the southwest corner. Silverwood Park, operated by the Three Rivers Park District, encompasses much of the northern shoreline and offers pier and shoreline fishing opportunities. Silver Lake is known for poor water quality and frequent winterkill. The most recent winterkill event took place in the winter of 2022-2023. This event likely contributed to the particularly high catch rates observed in the 2024 lake survey as the lake recovers. Species such as Yellow Perch and Common Carp exhibited especially high catch rates, potentially due to a decrease in predators and overall competition. Silver Lake is primarily managed for Walleye, with Bluegill Sunfish and Largemouth Bass designated as secondary management species. Walleye fry are stocked annually at a rate of 1,000 fry per littoral acre (63,000 fry). Walleye populations are meeting long-range management goals, with gill net surveys showing the highest catch rates since 2006. Walleye were sampled at a rate of 4.0 fish per gill net and 0.13 fish per trapnet. While slightly smaller than in 2016, most Walleye measured between 10 and 12 inches. In addition, Yellow Perch are very abundant, with the highest catch rates recorded at this lake (144.0 fish per gill net) and had an average size exceeding 8 inches. Largemouth Bass were also found in high abundance (8.0 fish per gill net), but small in size, with an average length of 10 inches. Bluegill and Black Crappie catch rates (7.13 and 2.14 fish per trapnet, respectively) are both below average for this type of lake, with both species showing declines in abundance and size compared to previous surveys. Most Bluegills measured 5 to 6 inches, with only one fish exceeding 8 inches. Most Black Crappie were between 7 to 8 inches in length. Northern Pike remain rare, with only one fish recorded in the survey at 22.5 inches, consistent with previous surveys. Common Carp, an invasive species, are abundant, with catch rates at an all-time high (56 fish per gill net). The high catch Black Bullhead catch rates have tripled since 2016 but still are below average for this type of lake. Other species, including golden shiner, white sucker, and hybrid Sunfish were observed in low numbers. Silver Lake is no longer managed for Channel Catfish due to limited stocking availability and frequent winterkill. No Channel Catfish were observed in this survey.

Silver Lake (West) is a small 71 acre lake located within the Village of St. Anthony and the City of Columbia Heights. Characterized by poor water quality and frequent winterkill, a permanent pump and baffle aeration system was installed in 1999 by the MN DNR and is operated by the City of Columbia Heights. The Village of St. Anthony has installed a ferric chloride water treatment system to reduce phosphorus inputs into the lake beginning in 2015. The City of Columbia Heights operates a small primitive boat landing along the west side of the lake. There is very limited parking at the landing. The last full survey (2006) was targeted at Walleye and Channel Catfish populations. The Walleye population is within the normal range for this type of lake, the catch rate in 2016 has improved since 2012 when fewest Walleye were observed since stocking was initiated. Fifteen fish were sampled in 2016 and the average length was 12.8 inches, these fish were stocked as fry in 2014 and are showing fast growth when compared to statewide averages. Channel Catfish catch was less than what was observed in 2012. Three Channel Catfish sampled in the trapnets, these fish were healthy and robust and had average length of 24.5 inches long. Catfish stocking has been limited in recent years, though the management plan calls for more stocking to keep this fishery viable. Largemouth Bass were found in high abundance but were small in size. Average length for Largemouth Bass was slightly more than 8.5 inches. Bluegill Sunfish and Black Crappie were sampled in above average and moderate numbers respectively. Size was good for both species. Yellow Perch are very abundant and had an average size over 7.0 inches. Black Bullheads, previously found in high densities in Silver Lake, are now present in very low numbers according to this survey. Five were sampled, and all were over 9.5 inches in length indicating an adult population. Other fish sampled in low abundance were, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Hybrid and Green Sunfish.

The 2012 special assessment survey conducted on Silver Lake was targeted primarily at walleye and channel catfish. The walleye population is within the normal range for this type of lake, though the catch rate in 2012 was the lowest since walleye stocking was initiated. Three fish were sampled in 2012 and the average weight was 2.65 pounds, which is a decrease from the 2007 survey results. Channel catfish catch is meeting the long-term goal for the lake of four fish per gillnet. The catfish were healthy, averaging 3.1 pounds and 20 inches long. Catfish stocking has been limited in recent years, though the management plan calls for more stocking to keep this fishery viable. Bluegill and black crappie were sampled in low numbers and both species averaged 6.5 inches in length. Yellow perch were moderately abundant but had an average size of only 6.7 inches. Black bullheads, previously found in high densities in Silver Lake, are now present in low numbers according to this survey. Four were sampled, and all were over eight inches in length indicating an adult population.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Yellow Perch, Green Sunfish, Walleye, and White Crappie in Silver. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Silver. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Silver has a maximum depth of 47 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Silver is from 2024.

Yes — Silver has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil . Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.